THE NFL DRAFT : New Look Is Turning NFL Heads : Raiders: After an impressive workout and an image makeover, former USC quarterback Todd Marinovich has become a possible first-round pick.

Former USC quarterback Todd Marinovich’s stock has apparently risen dramatically enough since a Jan. 20 drug arrest to bring him at least into the crosshairs of the Raiders, who lurk with the 24th pick of today’s NFL draft.

Whether Marinovich, last seen retooling his character with help from corporate image makers, has come far enough to satisfy Raider owner Al Davis remains to be seen.

Two months ago, Marinovich was mud to most NFL observers, who perceived him as immature, erratic and a possible substance abuser who would have been better served by remaining in school. When he announced Feb. 1 that he was making himself available for the draft after his sophomore year, most projected him as a mid-round draft choice, third-round tops.

Then, orchestrated by agents Tom Condon and Mike Barnett of IMG, the sports management conglomerate, a transformation occurred. For starters, Marinovich was ordered to the barber shop for a buzz-cut. Appearance counts.

Marinovich then dazzled representatives of 18 NFL teams in a private workout at East Los Angeles College March 14. Marinovich had beefed up to 223 pounds and reportedly heaved the ball, flat-footed, through the uprights while standing on the 50-yard line.

The only NFL owner in attendance was Davis. When Davis arrived fashionably late, Marinovich stopped his workout, walked 40 steps up the bleachers and thanked him for taking an interest. Marinovich then jogged back down and continued his work.

Six other Raider coaches also attended the Marinovich workout. He might be their kind of gamble, a down-on-his-luck player looking for a place to clean up his act.

“With the guidance we’ve tried to impart, he knows there’s no room for another mistake,” Barnett said. “He’s shown (the scouts) that (the arrest) was an isolated incident. Everyone has focused back on the pure skills, which are undeniable.”

Other factors that might make him a Raider pick:

--Family ties. The quarterback’s father, Marv, played for the Raiders in 1965.

--The Raiders could use a long-term answer at quarterback, and Marinovich, 21, would be willing to wait more than one season to move up. That would provide a future smooth transition from quarterback Jay Schroeder, who will turn 30 in June and is coming off his best season.

--Raider quarterback coach Mike White, who worked miracles with Schroeder, might do the same with Marinovich.

--The talent pool in the late first round reportedly is thin as a result of the stellar crop of juniors who came out last season, making Marinovich look better.

A month ago, Marinovich seemed a more logical second-round choice for the Raiders. But the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins worked Marinovich out again this week, so the last-minute scramble is on.

The New York Jets, interested in getting Marinovich with the seventh pick in the second round, are reportedly worried that the Raiders are going to foil their plans by taking Marinovich in the first round or, perhaps, trade down and take him in the second round.

Steve Ortmayer, Raider director of operations, said Marinovich remains a mystery. “I certainly agree that he’s one of the players that would be hardest to figure out where he’ll end up,” Ortmayer said.

Without tipping their hand, Ortmayer said the Raiders have lumped Marinovich in a field of quarterbacks that includes San Diego State’s Dan McGwire, Southern Mississippi’s Brett Favre and Louisville’s Browning Nagle.

Conventional wisdom suggests that the Raiders should use their first choice to shore up an aging linebacker corps. A strong possibility remains Central (Okla.) State linebacker Keith Traylor. Or they might use the pick on an offensive tackle, perhaps Texas’ Stan Thomas.

The Raiders like Traylor, a heavy hitter, and he could be the successor to Riki Ellison as middle linebacker.

Despite an all-star lineup in the backfield--Marcus Allen, Roger Craig, Bo Jackson and Greg Bell--it won’t mean much if Craig and Jackson can’t play anymore because of injuries.

Ortmayer said the Raiders are open to all possibilities.

“We have positioned ourselves for the draft so that the need factor has been eliminated,” he said. “We don’t have to go for a position. We can take the best players available.”

The Raiders maneuvered themselves into position with another active off-season of Plan B signings and trades. They lured both Ronnie Lott and Craig away from the San Francisco 49ers.

Last week, the Raiders acquired linebacker Winston Moss in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The sleeper of their Plan B acquisitions might be linebacker O’Brian Alston from the Indianapolis Colts.

The additions give the Raiders draft flexibility.

“I think we’ve made significant improvement on the field in virtually every aspect of the team,” Ortmayer said.

“I feel we’ve done nothing but take a step forward since the Buffalo game (a 51-3 loss in the AFC Championship game). It’s a matter of fitting the pieces together.”

Whether Marinovich becomes a key puzzle piece is unclear because of so many possible draft-day surprises. No one seems sure where Marinovich will end up.

“We don’t have a clue,” Barnett said. “Some clubs are saying positive things. Other clubs that were saying he was crazy for coming out are now speaking very highly. It’s a no-lose situation for him if he’s drafted, period.”

RAIDER DRAFTS A look at the Raiders’ first-round selections in the past five NFL drafts:

Year Player Pos. College 1990 Anthony Smith DE Arizona 1989 No Selection 1988 Tim Brown WR Notre Dame 1988 Terry McDaniel DB Tennessee 1988 Scott Davis DE Illinois 1987 John Clay OT Missouri 1984 Bob Buczkowski DE Pittsbugh